PhD Student - Computational Medicine and Health Data Science
Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz, Austria, is offering a full-time PhD position in Computational Medicine and Health Data Science, starting March 2026. As Austria’s first public interdisciplinary university dedicated to digital transformation, IT:U provides a unique environment for research at the intersection of medicine, informatics, and data science. The successful candidate will join the IT:U Doctoral School’s PhD-Program COMPUTATIONAL X, working under the supervision of Professor Spiros Denaxas.
The research project centers on electronic health records (EHR), which capture rich, longitudinal data from patient interactions with healthcare systems. The focus is on multimorbidity—the co-occurrence of two or more chronic diseases—and its impact on health outcomes, healthcare costs, and the need for integrated care models. Building on international studies mapping disease trajectories and multimorbidity networks, the PhD student will synthesize and compare findings across health systems to identify common comorbidity patterns and shared pathways. The project aims to transform fragmented evidence into a coherent, anticipatory view of patient journeys, highlight early warning signals, and inform proactive healthcare planning. There is also scope to explore innovative uses of EHR data, such as procedures and laboratory measurements, to enrich multimorbidity networks.
The position offers a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment with strong international collaborations, including opportunities for short research stays with partners in the UK. The PhD program is structured over four years, with the first year emphasizing group work, research lab modules, and project-integrated courses, culminating in a PhD proposal presentation. Subsequent years focus on thesis development, interdisciplinary seminars, and project assistant work, concluding with thesis submission and defense.
Responsibilities include conducting interdisciplinary research using advanced computational methods, writing academic publications, presenting at scientific conferences, collaborating with national and international research groups, participating in academic teaching, and contributing to research funding applications. Candidates must comply with IT:U’s academic standards, ethical guidelines, and data protection regulations.
Applicants should have a master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, medical informatics, health data science, bioinformatics, or a related field. Required skills include experience with large-scale biomedical data (especially EHR), proficiency in Python, familiarity with biomedical ontologies (e.g., SNOMED, ICD-10), and fluency in English (CEFR C1 or equivalent). The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team is essential.
IT:U offers a competitive gross salary starting from EUR 3,714.80 per month (full-time, 40h), complimentary office kitchen supplies, and the Austrian KlimaTicket Ö for unlimited public transport within Austria. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
To apply, complete the online application form at
https://apply.it-u.at/
and upload your CV, bachelor’s and master’s diplomas and transcripts, a motivational letter (max. 1 page), and up to three contacts for recommendations. For questions or expressions of interest, contact Professor Spiros Denaxas at
[email protected]
with your CV before applying. The application deadline is January 31, 2026.
This position is ideal for motivated candidates passionate about computational medicine, health data science, and interdisciplinary research aimed at improving healthcare outcomes.
